KPSC's raw deal for G'barga varsity students

Several successful candidates have been denied job opportunity for the reason that nomenclature of their degrees in the academic certificates ‘differs’ from the prescribed one.

While the certificates of the candidates show the qualification as MSc along with the specialisation (MSc-Organic Chemistry, MSc-Inorganic Chemistry, etc), it is the contention of the KPSC that the recruitment rules specify to consider only those candidates with ‘MSc - Chemistry’ for lecturer posts.

Competitive examination

The KPSC had invited applications for 90 posts of lecturers in Chemistry for the government PU Colleges through a competitive examination in 2008. Vikrant Kulkarni (name changed), a postgraduate in Chemistry from Gulbarga University had got through the written examination.

He was called for verification of original certificates before issuing appointment orders in January, 2009.
However, Vikrant’s name was not in the provisional list of selected candidates announced in June.  The KPSC, in its reply to the objection filed by Vikrant said that he was a postgraduate in ‘Inorganic Chemistry’ whereas the KPSC Conduct and Recruitment Rules stipulates to consider only those with ‘MSc - Chemistry.’

No uniformity

The KPSC seems to be oblivious to the fact that there is no uniformity among the universities in the State in the nomenclature of degrees.
Some of the universities issue marks cards and convocation certificates as ‘MSc - Chemistry’ while the Gulbarga University issues them as MSc, followed by the area of specialisation that the student chooses in the final year. 

This is for the first time that the ‘subtle difference’ has dawned on the KPSC. Candidates with similar certificates have been appointed as lecturers for pre-university and degree colleges, without any hassles on earlier occasions.

The aggrieved candidates have challenged the selection list before the Karnataka Administrative Tribunal.
The Gulbarga University authorities have issued letters to aggrieved candidates stating that students having MSc degree with specialisation in Chemistry are eligible to teach Chemistry at PU and UG level. An expert committee constituted by Director of Collegiate Education has clarified beyond any doubt that the candidates with MSc Chemistry and MSc Chemistry (Specialisation) are one and the same.
But the KPSC has not considered these recommendations. The aggrieved candidates are now waiting for verdict of the Administrative Tribunal